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AMSOIL News Article May 23, 2003
	WHY HARLEY OWNERS CHOOSE AMSOIL Wear Test Comparison - AMSOIL vs. Harley Screamin' Eagle The recent introduction of Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Lubricant by Harley-Davidson® indicates the Motor Company has finally recognized the benefits of running synthetic motorcycle oil in their air-cooled engines. After years of advising dealers and customers to avoid using synthetic oils in their bikes, it's natural to wonder why the company is suddenly marketing one. For the past 20 years, Harley-Davidson® has claimed its petroleum-based Genuine H-D Oil is best for the "unique requirements of Harley-Davidson® air-cooled V-twin engines." However, laboratory testing has consistently revealed that Genuine H-D Oil does not provide the best protection possible for Harley-Davidson® engines. In fact, Four-Ball Wear Tests show Harley- Davidson® 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar nearly 80 percent larger than that left by AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil. Four-Ball Wear Test (ASTM D4172), 40kg pressure @ 150 degrees C, 1800 rpm for 1 hour duration April 2003 test results The Four-Ball Wear Test is the industry's standard test method for measuring the wear preventive characteristics of a lubricant. Placed in a bath of the test lubricant, three fixed steel balls are put into contact with a fourth ball in rotating contact at preset test conditions. Lubricant wear protection properties are measured by comparing the average wear scars on the three fixed balls. The smaller the average wear scar, the better the protection. One of the major benefits of running a synthetic motorcycle oil is its resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, which inhibit the formation of sludge and deposits that contribute to increased wear. In the past, Harley-Davidson® has defended use of its Genuine H-D Oil by arguing that oil breakdown in extreme heat is a non-issue because extreme heat conditions are not normally faced by motorcycle engines, while the superior cold-temperature benefits of synthetics also don't apply to Harleys. The fact is, engine oil in Harley-Davidson® motorcycles is subject to very high temperatures. Being air-cooled, Harley-Davidson® engines get especially hot while idling in traffic, commonly reaching temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. As heat and oxidation increase, so does viscosity, adversely affecting the lubricating qualities of the oil and increasing wear. The water, soot and acid byproducts of combustion also contribute to deposit formation. Harley-Davidson® has stressed the importance of regular oil changes in order to remove these contaminants. Of course, promoting regular oil changes is also a good way to promote using petroleum-based Genuine H-D Oil. High-quality synthetic oils formulated with high-performance additives effectively withstand such contaminants, allowing motorcyclists to safely extend drain intervals. In support of their about-face and the introduction of a synthetic oil, Harley maintains that "the Motor Company has never supported the use of synthetic products in our vehicles because there has never been any test validations completed on the numerous formulations in HD/Buell motorcycles. This product has been exclusively designed for Harley-Davidson® and is the only synthetic product TESTED and CERTIFIED by Harley-Davidson® engineering for use in HD/Buell motorcycles." Although this is necessary marketing hype, Harley-Davidson® V-twin air-cooled engines are not unique in their lubrication requirements and do not require a special Harley-only fluid. There is nothing about Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil that sets it apart from, or makes it better than, many other synthetic motorcycle oil formulations, except that Harley-Davidson® is marketing it and directly profiting from the sales. According to Harley-Davidson®, one of the unique benefits offered by Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is its versatility. For the first time the company is recommending an oil that can be used in the engines, primary chaincases and transmissions of most Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, including Evolution XL, Evolution 1340, Twin Cam 88 and 88B, Revolution and Buell models. This feature, however, is not unique. AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil may also be used in the engines, primary chaincases and transmissions of these applications, providing superior lubricating protection in each component. How does Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil measure up to AMSOIL in wear protection? Four-Ball Wear Test results indicate that AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil still provides the best protection possible for motorcycles. In fact, Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar nearly 80 percent larger than AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. Not only does AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil offer greater wear protection than Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil may be used for extended drain intervals of up to twice the manufacturer's suggested interval, while Screamin' Eagle® is recommended for standard drain intervals, AMSOIL customers realize additional savings. Harley-Davidson® claims Screamin' Eagle® Synthetic Motorcycle Oil has been "exclusively designed" for use in their motorcycles, pointing to extensive bench testing and over 230,000 miles of durability testing to back it up. AMSOIL INC. has 30 years of experience providing superior lubricating protection for all brands of motorcycles, and AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils have been tested in millions of over-the-road miles. Testimonials from countless motorcyclists further demonstrate the superiority of AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils. Formulated with top-of-the-line synthetic base stocks and high-temperature deposit control additives, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils provide superior protection and performance for motorcycles in all operating conditions. AMSOIL Motorcycle Oils effectively withstand oxidation and thermal degradation, keep wear to an absolute minimum, hold contaminants in suspension and keep engines running cool and clean. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils Reduce operating temperatures Keep engines clean and deposit-free Provide maximum protection against wear Formulated without friction modifiers for smooth performance Saves money with extended drain intervals of up to two times the manufacturers' recommendations New Motorcycle Oils Offer Superior Transmission and Rust Protection    Amsoil Synthetic Motorcycle Oils have been re-formulated with new high performance additive technology that provides even greater multi-functional benefits for the special requirements of motorcycle applications. These independent and exclusive new AMSOIL formulations provide second-to-none viscosity protection for hot running American and foreign motorcycle engines, transmissions and primary chaincases.     AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is recommended for Harley-Davidson, Buell, Victory, Ducati, BMW, Aprilla and Triumph motorcycles calling for a 15W-50 or 20W-50 viscosity, providing superior protection in engines, transmissions and primary chaincases.    AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCF) is recommended for Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles calling for a 10W-40 or 20W-40 viscosity, providing superior protection in engines and transmissions. AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil viscosity remained stable throughout the duration of the test, while the competitors' oils showed quick and dramatic viscosity breakdown.   Improved Transmission Protection AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils not only provide superior protection for motorcycle engines, they also provide superior gear protection, meeting API GL-1 gear lube viscosity requirements. AMSOIL Synthetic10W-40 Motorcycle Oil (MCF) meets SAE 80W-90 gear lube requirements, while AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV) meets SAE 90 gear lube viscosity requirements.     Viscosity is the most important characteristic of a lubricant. Motorcycle gears create a shearing effect that causes permanent oil viscosity loss. This thinning effect reduces the oil's ability to prevent metal-to-metal contact and wear. The stability and natural operating temperature ranges of the premium synthetic base stocks used to formulate AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils eliminateshear and reduce wear. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils exhibit absolute shear stability as measured by the Kurt Orbon shear stability test.     The high temperatures and tight tolerances common to motorcycle applications also affect viscosity. The High Temperature/High Shear (HTHS) Test (ASTMD-4683) measures a lubricant's viscosity under severe high temperature and shear conditions. The more resistant an oil is to high temperature viscosity loss, the better it protects, and even a HTHS difference of 0.1 cP makes a significant difference.     AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils exhibit higher HTHS viscosities than competing conventional and synthetic motorcycle oils. As seen in the graphs, AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 and 10W-40 Motorcycle Oils displayed the highest High Temperature/High Shear viscosities in their respective test groups, providing motorcycle engines and transmissions operating in the harshest conditions with superior protection against wear and viscosity loss and eliminating the need for separate gear case oils as recommended by some competitors. Synthetic 10W-40 may also be used in two-cycle transmissions. Excellent Wet Clutch Performance Many motorcycles utilize a clutch that is immersed in the motor oil. The friction modifiers present in many automotive motor oils and the extreme pressure additives present in EP gear lubricants produce a low coefficient of friction between the clutch discs and plates, resulting in clutch slippage and glazing. Slippage leads to increased operating temperatures and reduced clutch life. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils are formulated without friction modifiers, providing positive clutch engagement, longer equipment life and reduced temperatures. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils meet the clutch compatibility requirements mandated by JASO MA. Excellent Corrosion Protection Most motorcycles spend the majority of their lives either parked or in storage, but most motorcycle oils fail to address corrosion problems. Corrosion protection during storage and in humid conditions is essential to extending equipment life. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils are formulated with specialized additive technology that not only protect against corrosion and acids during operation, but also provide exceptional protection during storage. The ASTM D-1748 Rust Test measures a lubricant's ability to protect against rust and corrosian. A standard metal reference coupon is immersed in the test oil before being placed in a humidity cabinet for 24 hours at 120 degrees F. As seen in the photos, the reference coupon treated with AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic motorcycle Oil showed no signs of rust and corrosion, while the competitor failed the test. Outstanding Heat Resistance Motorcycles operate in demanding, high heat conditions that require robust high temperature deposit control additives. While many conventional oils break down and oxidize when faced with high temperatures, causing formation of carbon and sludge deposits, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils effectively withstand oil breakdown and oxidation, keeping equipment running cooler and minimizing oil consumption, thickening and emissions. Air-cooled engines get especially hot while idling in traffic, commonly reaching temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. The extra margin of protection provided by AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils is especially important for hot running air cooled motorcycle engines. Foam Control High engine speeds and transmission gears in motorcycles churn the oil, suspending air and causing foam. When this oil and air mixture is drawn into a loaded area, the air compresses and decreases the theickness of the oil film, compromising wear protection. In addition, suspended air promotes oil oxidation, reducing its service life. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils greatly reduce foaming to provide long term lubricating protection in high speed, high RPM conditions. Robust Additive Levels Recent automotove motor oil regulations have limited certain additive levels, including the anti-wear additive known as ZDDP. ZDDP is an extremely effective anti-wear, anti-oxidant additive, and reducing its level results in compromised wear control and shortened service life. Because motorcycle applications require robust additive systems to control wear and oxidation, use of an automotive motor oil or an automotive motor oil re-labeled as a motorcycle oil compromises protection and performance. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils are overtreated with robust additive packages, including high levels of calcium, phosphorus, zinc and additions oxidation inhibitors, to extend oil life expectancy, provide unmatched engine chleanliness and greatly reduce wear.     AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils are recommended for twice the manufacturer's recommended drain interval for on-road motorcycles.     The Four Ball Wear Test (ASTM D-4172) determines the wear protection properties of a lubricant. The smaller the average wear scar, the better the wear protection provided by the lubricant. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils produce significantly smaller wear scars than competing motorcycle oils, providing unsurpassed protection against engine wear, reducing maintenance costs and extending equipment life. Cost Effective AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils provide excellent cost effectiveness and are cost competitive with competing high end motorcycle oils. The unmatched protection and performance provided by AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils is excellent insurance for today's expensive motorcycles and custom bikes. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils Excellent for roller bearings and does not cause "skate" or "float" in V-Twin Engines Prevents foaming in high-RPM engines Eliminates the need for multipel lubricants Absolute shear stability maintains protective viscosity in high heat, high shear conditions Better performance and price than competitve motorcycle oils Recommended for twice the manufacturer's recommended drain interval for on-road motorcycles Provide exceptional protection against rust and corrosion during storage Robust anti-wear additive packages provide superior wear protection and longer equipment life. REQUEST A CATALOG